YouView passes 3 million active users landmark

Digital television platform YouView is now powering than three million active set-top boxes and digital devices.

Launched in Summer 2012, the platform provides access to terrestrial TV channels and on-demand and catch-up apps and is a collaboration between the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, transmission firm Arqiva and ISPs BT and TalkTalk.

Set-top boxes are available contract-free from retailers and the platform is also used by BT, TalkTalk and Plusnet to power their pay-TV services which include subscription channels delivered via broadband.

The YouView interface and catch-up service is also used by Sony on selected models of its Android TV’s.

The company is working with Amazon to integrate the video skills application for its popular Alexa smart assistant, allowing users to control their viewing by voice, and recently launched several new features including Discover and Watchlist on its retail devices.

Announcing the service’s enlarged user-base, YouView CEO Richard Halton said: “We are delighted to have passed this important landmark, which reflects the talent of our team and commitment of our shareholders and customers.

“Through our Cloud enabled interface, we are offering continuous improvements to the user experience through new functions and content, making it simple and easy for them to watch the content they love.

“The focus is how we create the viewing experience of tomorrow today – YouView receives 350 million data points a day from its devices and we can use this insight to continue to be at the forefront of innovation in our field.”